The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command has been commended for its outstanding performance in revenue mobilisation, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling operations during the 2025 fiscal year.
Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Mohammed Babandede, gave the commendation during a familiarisation visit to the Command on Thursday, where he praised officers for exceeding revenue targets and maintaining operational excellence.
Addressing officers during the visit, ACG Babandede said his engagement was aimed at assessing the Command’s challenges, celebrating its achievements, and motivating personnel who had continued to deliver exceptional results.
In a statement issued by Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Port Command, Babandede also applauded the Command’s anti-smuggling successes, particularly the seizures of narcotics and other illicit drugs such as cocaine and tramadol. He described these interceptions as vital to national security, public health, and societal safety, noting that strong enforcement is crucial to sustaining a secure trade environment.
“The role of the Nigeria Customs Service goes beyond revenue collection; it extends to ensuring national security, protecting public health, and promoting legitimate trade,” Babandede stated. He also praised the Command for its effective collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies, urging officers to deepen inter-agency cooperation and adopt modern trade facilitation tools that enhance operational efficiency.
The Zonal Coordinator underscored the need for integrity, mentorship, and capacity building within the Service. He encouraged senior officers to mentor younger personnel and announced plans for drug tests across all Commands to ensure officers remain physically and mentally fit for duty.
In his response, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, thanked the Zonal Coordinator for his visit and encouragement. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to upholding the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, as outlined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, while sustaining excellence in revenue generation, enforcement, and ethical conduct.
Oshoba assured that the Command would continue to strengthen its inter-agency partnerships and trade facilitation measures to enhance national economic growth and maintain its leading role within the Service.
